Cutting machine



Aug. 19, 1924.

N. E. RABER CUT' IING MACHINE .Filed May 6. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 [n van/5m E. Ralwn;

f B fikurw m Aug. l9, 1924. 1,505,425

- N. E. RABER CUTTING MACHINE Filed May 6. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 EWWL filly.

Patented Aug. 19, 1924.

UNITED STATES" PATENT orrica.

NELSON E. RA BER, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIG'NOR TO THE B. F. GOODRICH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CUTTING MACHINE. i

Application filed May 6,

To all whom it mag concern;

Be it known that I, NELSON E. RABER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in. the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Cutting Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for cutting sheet material, such, for example,

as the uncured, rubberized fabric usedin the manufacture of rubber footwear, to produce formed pieces or units. The embodiment herein illustrated and described is adapted to fold and cut a strip Of rubberized fabric to form boot-straps.

The stock usually comes to the machine in rolls wherein a strip ofthe rubberized fabric stock is interwound with a liner. The stock rolls are/made up at the calendar and in cooling the stock shrinks slightly within the roll. Because of this, and because the tension of the stock and liner respectively during the winding operation may differ, the stock, when withdrawn from the roll at the cutting machine, may vary in the yardage given off relative to the yardage of the liner.

While the stock is advanced intermittently and out into units, it is desirable that the liner be rerolled for further use, with uniform tension notwithstanding the intermittent motion of the stock and the different yardages given off by the stock and the liner, and that the stock be advanced to the cutter with uniform tension.

The main objects of my invention are to provide a simple, automatic and accurate mechanism for cutting sheet material into formedv units and. in the case of flexible material such as rubberized fabric and a cloth liner, to provide improved guiding means and tensioning and rewinding means.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation. with a part broken away, of a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a detailed side view, with parts broken away, of a part of a feeding and cutting mec anism.

50 Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. lis a partial plan view showing the fabric-folder, feed-roller and cutting block.

duced by the die.

1921. Serial No. 467,475.

Fig. 5 is an end view of a part of the folder or plaiter.

F1g.'6 is a plan view of the cutting-block assembly.

Fig. 7 ting-die.

Fig. 8 is an elevation, partly in section, of the cutting-block assembly as viewed from the delivery end of the machine.

Flg. 9 is a detailed-view partly in'section, of the die-holder.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the cut fabric strip, showing'the design of the cut prois a reverse plan view of the cut- Fig. 11 is a plan view of the fabric guid mg and tensioning apparatus.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the liner-ten slonlng and rewinding apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, 10 is a frame,

11 is a stock roll loosely journalled thereon, 12, 12 13, 13 and 14, 14 are guide rollers loosely journalled on brackets secured to said frame. the pair of rollers 13, 13 being interposed between the other'twopairs of rollers ust mentioned and having their axes transverse to theirs. 15 is a plaiting device, 16 is a feed roll, 17 is a loosely-journalled, intermittent-pressure roll co-operatively associated therewith through an opening in the frame 10. endless-belt carrier, and 19 is a floating roller thereon. 19 is a belt tightener for the belt-carrier 19. 20 is a liner. 21, 22, 22 23 and 23 are guide-tension devices secured to the frame 10, 24 is a liner rewinding roll.

25 is an electric motor, and 26, 27, 28, 29 is aspeed-reduction assembly comprising a large belt-wheel 27 and a small sprocket 28 secured to their common shaft 29 which is journalled in brackets 26 mounted upon the frame 10. 27 is a belt between the motor .25 and the wheel 27.

Ill

said plate 32; a plaiting sleeve 34 also secured on said plate 32;. and dowel pin 35 intertitting with registered holes in one of the plates 30 and the plate 32. 135, 135 are pins mounted upon the base of the die cutter and adapted to serve as side guides for the folded strip as it passes to the cutter.

Referring to the arrangement of gears and mechanism for driving the several parts of the machine, and with particular reference to Figs. 2 and 3, 36, 36 are brackets depending from the frame 10 and provided with bearings for shafts 37, 38 extending through said brackets and protruding therefrom at both ends. 39 isa large sprocket secured upon a common hub 40 with a small sprocket 41, said common hub being loosely journalled upon the protruding end of shaft 38 outside of the bracket 36, the smaller sprocket 41 being connected by a sprocketchain 41* with a large sprocket 42 secured upon the corresponding end of shaft 37, and the larger sprocket 39 being connected with the small sprocket 28, Fig. 1, by a sprocket chain 39*. 43 is a sprocket secured to the shaft 37 between the brackets 36, 36 and connected by a sprocket-chain #3 with a sprocket 44 secured in common with belt wheels -15 and 46 upon a hub 47, said hub being loosely journalled upon the shaft 38. The feed-roller 16 is secured to the shaft 37. Secured upon the other end of the shaft 37 from the sprocket 42, and outside of the bracket'36, is a spur-gear 48, and in alignment therewith, secured to the corresponding end of the shaft 38, is a spur-gear Tn tel-meshed between gears 48 and ll) is an intermediate spur-gear 50, journalled upon the elbow of an arm 51, one end of said arin be ing pivoted upon the shaft 37 between the gear -13 and the bracket 36, and the other end of said arm 51 being provided with a clamping bolt 52 slidably mounted in an arcuate slot 53, concentriewith the shaft. 37, in the bracket 36. 54 is a cam wheel secured upon the shaft 38. 55 is an L-shapcd lever tut crumed at 56 on the bracket 36. its outer end an being secured to vertical link 57 by adjustable bearing member 57 and the up turned toe of the i. being pivoted to a W"- tical push--rod 53. The heel-of the l. is provided with a cam roller 59 associated with the cam-wheel 5d.

The intermittent-pressure roll 17 is se cured upon a spindle 17" which is journalled in journal blocks til 60 which are vertically slidable in guideways termed in standards 61 and 61, mounted upon the frame 10 above the feed-roll 16. the journal blocks 60, 80* overhanging or extending laterally ot the machine beyond said standards 31. 61:

Compression springstl? are interposed in said guidc-ways between said journal blocks 60 and adjustable flanged stnd i'iolts 63 are mosses mounted in bridge-plates 64: secured to the tops of the standards 61, 61* across the guide-ways. The overhanging end of the journal block 60 at the back of the machine rests upon a stud-bolt (not shown) threaded into the base of the standard 61 and the overhanging end of the journal block 60 at the front of the machine rests upon the top of the push-rod 58.

I The die cutter 18 comprises a platen 65, the back end of which is connected with a bracket 66, upon the frame 10 by a links 67, 67, and the front end of wiich is hinged to the top of the vertical link 57 of the cam lever 55.

68 is a compression coil spring upon the link 57 and interposed bztween the platen and the frame 10. The platen 65 is formed with a.downwardly-extending ear 69 at its middle, pivotally connected with a die block 70 formed with vertical holes 71 adapted to receive dowel pins 72 secured upon the frame 10, and with spring-holding recesses 73 in its lower side. The die 7 is formed with a base having holes therethrough and is secured to the under side of the block 7 0 by screws 76 with the holes of its base concentric with the spring-holding recesses 73 in said block. 77 is a pressure foot formed with a slot, not shown, registering with the die 74- and with threaded legs or stems 78 which extend through the holes of the die base and are provided with spring-engaging nuts 78 79 are compression springs within the recesses 73, bearing upon said nuts. 80 is a cutting block under the die.

The liner rewinding apparatus comprises guiding and tensioning devices 21, 22, 22 23 and 23 a loosely-journalled, verticallyslidable liner-roll 24: a loosely journalled,

verti'cally-slidable weight roller 81 superiui posed thereon; and peripheral drive rollers 82 and 83, the roller 82 being smooth surtaced and the roller 83 knurled.

air of at is a belt wheel connected by a belt 84 v with the belt-wheel The peripheral drive-rollers 32 and 33 and belt-wheel 34 are secured upon respective shat'ts journalled upon the frame l0 and extending beyond their journals at one end, their extensions having secured thereon interm-eshed spur-gears 85, 86 and 87, respectively. 83 is a cam latch adapted to engage the spindle of the weight roller 81 when the. latter is raised out of operative position.

The guide-tension devices for the liner comprises a cylindrical, non-rotating menu her 23 secured to the frame 10 in alignment with the stoekroll l1 and preferably in a direction therefrom approximately at right angles to the direction of the fabric strip 11 adjacent the stock roll in order that the liner and the fabric may be separated promptly upon'leaving the stock roll; an

moaeea aligned -series of'cylindrical, non-rotating.

'11 and a cloth liner wound thereon in belt-carrier 19 and the floating pressure roller 19 supported thereby.

The liner 20 is threaded through the series of gulde-tension devices-23, 21, 22, 22 and 23, as shown in Figs. 1 and 12, and its end secured upon the liner roll 24, which rests upon the peripheral-drive rollers 82 and 83. The weight-roller 81' is released from the hook 88 and allowed to bear upon the top of the liner roll 24, pressing it down against the drive rollers 82 and 83. The tension and the amount of snubbing effect upon the liner 20 may be varied by changing its devious course through the series of members 21 (a, h, 0, 0X, 6 and The motor 25 is then started, driving, in the order given, the belt-wheel 27-and the sprocket 28 therewith; from the latter, the large sprocket 39 and with it the small sprocket 41; from the latter the large sprock 42 and with it, .upon their common shaft 37, the sprocket 43, the feed roller 16 and the gear 48; from the sprocket 43 the sprocket 44 and the belt wheels 45 and 46 therewith,- from the gear 48 the intermediate gear 50 and the gear 49, and with the lastnamed the shaft 38 and the cam whee 54 thereon; from the belt wheel 45 the elt wheel 84 and with it the gear 86, and, from the latter, the gears 85 and 87 in the same direction, and with them the peri heral drive rollers 82 and 83 respectively, am from them the liner roll 24 and the weight roll from the stock roll 11 through the folding-' eye 33 and the plaiting sleeve 34 of the device 15, by which the fabric is folded over to the middle from both sides, to be pressed together between the rolls 16 and .17. As

the folded fabric strip advances, as stated, with the periphery of the feed roller 16, it,

is thereby fed to the cutting; device 18. With each revolution 'of the cam wheel 54 the link 57 is jerked downward, actuating the die-cutter 18 and simultaneously the intermittent pressure roller 17 is raised against the spring 62 by the push-rod 58 acting against the journal block 60, momentarily releasing the pressure of the fabric strip against the feed roller 16 and thus stopping the feed of the folded fabric strip to the diecutter, while the latter is operating upon the strip.

i he form of the die may be such that the fabric strip is not completely severed, a few strands remaining uncut at the middle of the strip, to be easily broken by hand later. Such strands temporarily hold the fabric units lightly together in order that the stock may be drawn through the cutter by: the belt carrier and the floating roller 19*, cooperating therewith, While the motion of the belt carrier 19 is constant, it has been found that the slippage of the chain of fabric units thereon and their elasticity is suihcient to prevent breakage due to the momentary stopping of the fabric strip under the pressure foot 77. The construction of the described, is such that as the platen 65 is lowered by the link 57, against the action of the compression-spring 68, the die-holding block 70, being pivoted to the platen and guided by the dowel pins 72, descends evenly upon the cutting block 80. The

pressure foot 77 first comes into yieldingcontact with the fabric strip 11 owing to the action of the springs 79, holding the strip firmly in place against the cutting block 80, and thereafter the die 74 passes throughthe registered slot in the pressure foot and cuts the fabric held thereunder. When the reaction of the spring 68 raises the platen 65, the pressure foot 77, due to the action of the spring 79, continues its pressure on the fabric until the die has been' withdrawn therefrom. Y

. Meanwhile the liner 20 is rewound upon the roll 24 under suitable tension, the ratios of the several belt wheels, sprockets and gears being such that the peripheral speed of the rolls 82 and 83 is sutiiciently greater than that of roll 16 to compensate the difference between the yardage of the fabric strip and that of the liner, as above mentioned. The unwinding of the roll 11 and consequently the release of the liner 20 is intermittent because of the periodic, momentary lifting of the pressure roll 17 from the feed roll 16. but the irregularities in the unwinding of the liner 20 due to such intermittence of roll 11 and to the nonuniform shrinkdie cutter 18, as

age of the fabric strip is compensated-by slippage of the peripheraldrive rollers 82 and 83. The stoppage of roll 11, or a resnubbing eflect, results in slippage of the rolls 82 and 83 upon the liner 20, permit-' ting the movement of the latter to la in keeping with the movement of the roll 11, without unduly atlecting'the movementof the latter. While theroller 83 is knurled,

to enable it to exert driving force upon convolutions of liner within the roll and to compensate for its small area of contact with the liner, its contactarea is so limited that slippage is not prevented by its knurledtread when the relatively high tension is produced in that region"by the relatively small increase of tension. in the liner anterior to the snuhbmg devices.

, The guiderollers 13 and 13*, being 'our-' nalled on axes transverse to those 0 the rollers 12', 12*, 14, 14 effectively align the fabric strip for the feed roll 16 and die cutter 18, notwithstanding the flimsy character of the fabric which unsuits it to be guided by sideuide rollersalone, although the latter may e added for slight corrections of alignment. After passing between the rollers l3, 13, the fabric may be r turned to-its horizontal position with either side up, as it is threaded through the rollers 14, 14, this arrangement of rollers being a convenient device for turning the fabric between the stock roll and the cutter.

The plaiting device 15 may be adjusted from and toward the feed roll 16 to affect the character of the fold produced in the fabric by means of the dowel pin 35 and the registerable holes 31 in the guide plates 30 and the holes in the side flanges of the slidable plate 32 which carries the folding-eye 33 and sleeve 84.

The application of the pressure-foot 77 to the fabric, and the lifting of it therefrom may be suitably synchronized with the lifting of the intermittent pressure roll 17 by adjustment of the nuts upon the legs 78 of the pressure foot and adjustment of the bearing member 57*.

The length of fabric fed between cutting operations may be varied by substituting a larger or smaller gear for gear 50, the arm 51 being adjusted in the slot 53to hold such a flmesh with gears 48 and 49. Pressure of the roller \17 upon the fabric as it passes over the feed roll 16 is varied by adjustment of the threaded, flanged spring studs 63. The proper alignment of the liner as it passes to the liner rewinding roll 24 is secured by adjustment of the guide member 22 by means of the screw 22. The liner, like the stock, is unsuitable because of its flimsy character to be guided by side rollers, but the guide 22, by reason of its vertical position, is adapted to guide the liner by hearing against its flat face, the member 22 having turned the liner substantially into a vertical plane.

Various modifications may be resorted to without departing fromthe scope of my invention and I do not wholly limit my claims to the construction shown.

. I claim:

'1. In a cutting machine the combination of a stock roll and a mounting therefor, a cutter, means for feeding stock from said roll to said cutter, a liner rewinding roll, means for frictionally driving said rewinding roll, and a tension device adapted to produce in the liner adjacent said rewinding roll a tension varying widely in response to relatively small variationsin the tension of the liner anterior to said tension device.

2. In a cutting machine the combination of means for supporting a supply of stock, a cutter, means for intermittently. feeding stock from said su porting means to said cutter, a liner rewin ing roll, means for frictionally driving said rewinding roll, and a tension device adapted to produce in the liner adjacent said rewinding roll a tension varying widely in response to relatively small variations in the tension. of the liner anterior to said tension device.

3. In a cutting machine the combination of a stock roll and a mounting therefor,

cutter, means for feeding stock from said stock roll to said cutter, a liner rewinding roll, means for frictionally driving said; rewindin roll, and a snubbing device for the liner a apted to magnify the tensionin the latter asit passes from said stock roll to said snubbing device for the liner adapted to' magnify the tension in the latter as it passes frpim said stock roll to said liner rewinding r0 5. In a cutting machine the combination of a stock roll and a mounting therefor, a cutter, means for feeding stock from said stock roll to said cutter, a liner rewinding winding roll, and a liner tensioning device roll-,means for frictionally driving said recomprising a series, of guide tension members adapted to be threaded in difierent combinations to increase or decrease their ten sioning effect. 7

6. In a cutting machine the combination of-means for'supporting a supply of stock, a cutter, means for intermittently feeding stock from said supporting means to said cutter, a liner rewln'ding roll, means for frictionally driving said rewinding roll, and a liner tensioning device comprising a series of ids-tension members adapted to be threaded in different combinations to increase or decrease their tensioning effect.

7 In a cutting machine the combination of a stock roll and a mounting therefor, a cutter, means for feeding stock from said stock roll tg sfilillutter, a liner rewinding roll, means for peripherally driving said re- -winding roll, and a-tension device adapted to produce, "in the liner adjacent said re.- winding roll a tension varying widely in response to relatively small variations in the tension of the liner anterior to said tension device.

8. In a cutting machinethe combination of means for supporting a supply of stock, .a cutter, means for intermittently feeding -stock from said supporting means to said r 192 cutter, aliner rewinding roll, means for peripherally driving said rewinding roll, and

' a tension device adapted to produce in the liner adjacent said rewinding roll a tension varying widely in response to relatively small variationsin the tension of the liner anterior to said-tension device.

9. In a cutting machine the combination ofa stock roll and amounting therefor, a

cutter, means for feeding stock from said stock roll to said cutter, a liner rewinding roll, a smooth roller and a knurled roller adapted to en port said rewinding'roll and peripherally v rive the same, and a tension device adapted to produce in a liner adjacent said rewinding roll a tension varying widely in response to relatively small variations in the tension of the liner anterior to said tension device. A

10. In a cutting machine the combination of a stock roll and a mounting therefor, a cutter, means for feeding stock from said stool: roll to said cutter, a liner rewinding roll, a smooth roller and a kunrled roller adapted to support said rewinding roll and peripherally drive the same, yielding means 101' pressing said rewinding roll against said. supporting rollers, and a tension device adapted to produce in the liner adjacent said rewinding roll a tension varying widely in response to relatively small variations in the tension of the liner anterior to said tension device. I v

11, In a cutting machine the combination [of means for supporting a supply of stock,

a cutter, means for intermittently feeding rewindln stock from said supportingmeans to said cutter, a liner rewindmg roll, a smooth roller and a knurled roller adapted to sup ort said rewinding roll and peripherally rive the same, yieldingmeans for'pressing said rewinding roll against said supporting rollers,

and a tension device adapted to produce in the liner adjacent said rewinding roll a tension varying widely in response to relatively small variations in the tension of the liner anterior to said tension device.

12. In a cutting machine, the combination of means for supporting a supply bf stock, a reciprocatingputter adapted substantially to sever the stock at intervals but to leave a strip of uncut stock connecting successive units, frictional means for lightly pulling the string of units from said cutter,-a continuously driven feed roll for, feeding the work from said stock supporting means to said cutter, a presser roller adapted to hold the Work in frictional contact with said feed roll, and means for concurrently actuating said cutter and retracting said presser roller I from said feed roller so as to permit the latter to slip with relation to the work.

. I 13. In a cutting machine the combination of means for supporting a supply of stock, a cutter, a feed roller and means for imparting rotary movement thereto, a presser roller associated therewith, means for intermittently retracting the latter from said feed roller to interrupt the feed of stock to said cutter, a liner rewinding roll, means for frictionally drivin said rewinding roll and a tension device adapted to produce in the liner adjacent said rewindingroll a tension varying Widely in response to relatively small variations in the tension of the liner anterior to said tension device.

14. In a cutting machine the combination of means for supporting asupply of stock, a cutter, means for feeding stock "from said supporting means to said cutter, a liner rewindin roll, rollers adapted to support said roll and peripherally drive the same, an a liner tensioning device comprising a series of non-rotating tension members adapted to be threaded in diderent combinations to increase or decrease their tensioning 15. In a cutting machine the combination of a stool; roll and a mounting therefor, a cutter, means for feeding stock from said stock roll to said cutter, a liner rewindin roll, rollers adapted to an port said rewin ing roll and peripherally rive the same, and a snubbing member adapted to turn the liner into a plane transverse to the axis of said liner rewinding roll.

16. In a cutting machine the combination of a steel: roll and a mountin therefor, a cutter, means for feeding stoc stock roll to said cutter, a liner rewinding roll, means for frictionally driving said refrom said I winding roll, and a liner tensioning device comprising a series of guide-tension members adapted tobe threaded in various combinations to vary their tensioning efi'ect, and a snubbing member.

17. In a cutting'niachine the combination of a stock roll and a mounting therefor, a cutter, a feed roller adapted to draw stock from said stock roll and feed it to said cutter, and a guide roller journalled on an axis transverse to that of said feed roller.

18. In a cutting machine, the combination of means for supporting a supply of stock, means for cutting said stock, rotary means for advancing said stock to said cutting means, a lever connecting said rotary means with said cutting means, and means for actuating said lever to simultaneously interruptthe advance of said stock and actuate said cutting means. I

19. In a cutting machine the combination of a feed roll, a presser roll associated therewith, a cutter, a lever operatively connecting one of said rolls with said cutter, and means for intermittently operating said lever to simultaneously separate said rolls and actuate said cutter.

20. In a cuttin machine the combination of a, air of para lel shafts, a feed roller secured to one of said shafts, a cam wheel secured to the other of said shafts, positive driving means connecting said shafts, a presser roller associated with said feed roller, a cutter and means actuated by said cam wheel for intermittently and simultaneously retracting said presser roller from said feed roller and operatin said cutter.

21. In a cutting machine t e combination of means for supporting a supply of stock, a cutter adapted substantially to sever the stock transversely at intervals but to leave a strip of uncut stock longitudinally connecting successive units, means for lightly pulling the string of units from said cutter, and means positioned operatively between said stock-supporting means and said cutter for feeding the work forward to the latter and constituting-the only means of substantial but to leave a strip of uncut stock longitudiaos-asst n'allfy connecting successive units, means for lightly pulling the string of units from said cutter, and means positioned operatively between said stock-supporting means and said cutter for intermittently feeding the work forward to the latter in timed relation to the action of said cutter and constituting the only means of substantial force for so feeding the work.

7 23. In a cutting machine the combination of means for supporting a supply of stock, a cutter adapted substantially to sever the stock transversely at intervals but to leave a strip of uncut stock longitudinally connecting successive units, means for lightly pulling the string of units from said cutter, and means positioned operatively between said 'stocksupporting means and said cutter for feeding the work forward to the latter and constituting the only means of substantial force for so feeding the work, the aforesaid pulling means comprising a member adapted to pull the string of units by sliding contact therewith.

24:. In a cutting machine the combination of a stock roll and a mounting therefor, a feed roller and means for imparting rotary movement thereto, a presser roller associated therewith, means for intermittently retracting the latter from said feed roller, a cutter adapted to receive stock from said feed roller, a liner rewinding roll, means for frictionally driving said rewinding roll,

and a liner tensioning device comprising a series of guide-tension members adapted to be threaded in various combinations to vary their tensioning effect, and a snubbing member positioned operatively between said guilde-tension members and said rewinding rol 25. In a cuttin machine the combination of a plaiter, a pair of rolls adapted to press the stock after it has been folded by said plaiter, said plaiter being adapted to be adjusted from and toward said-pair of rolls to vary the character of the fold, means for transversely cutting the folded stock at measured intervals, and common means for actuating said cutter and spreading apart said rolls so as to interrupt the feed of the work.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 23 day of April, 1921.

NELSUN E. RABER. 

